REGULARS at a real ale pub topped their fundraising ways at a charity auction during the weekend.

Drinkers at The Ship Inn, at Middleton Village, near Spennymoor, county Durham, have set themselves the task of visiting all 5,000 pubs in the Campaign for Real Ale's Good Pub Guide.

Souvenirs from their trips are brought back to be auctioned to raise money for the Butterwick Hospice, in Bishop Auckland.

Saturday night's effort raised £694, beating the total raised at the last auction in March, which gathered £580.

Landlady Liz Snaith said the regulars had so far visited just under 1,000 pubs, but were still hopeful of meeting the 5,000 challenge.

She said: "We had lots of stuff, we were very busy and did very well.

"The regulars who visit the other pubs bring stuff back. It is a bit of fun and it raises something for charity and that is the main thing. People are very generous when it comes to charity."

The pub is hosting a real ale festival, which will continue today with a choice of more than 18 beers.